ARIZONA IS GORGES

 

ANTELOPE CANYON
It’s no mystery why photographers can’t get enough of Antelope Canyon near Page. When the sun is in the right place, the narrow slot canyon’s Navajo sandstone walls come alive with color and texture. It’s named for the herds of pronghorns (not antelopes) that roamed the canyon long ago. There are two sections: Upper Antelope Canyon is easier to access (and thus more heavily visited), while Lower Antelope Canyon requires climbing in and out. The canyon is part of Lake Powell Navajo Tribal Park, and access is limited to guided tours. Information: Navajo Parks & Recreation, www.navajonationparks.org
PHOTOGRAPH BY SUZANNE MATHIA

 

ARAVAIPA CANYON
The rugged Galiuro Mountains of Southern Arizona cradle Aravaipa Creek and its namesake canyon, which protect an array of plants and animals. The creek is home to seven species of native fish, and more than 200 bird species live in the trees along its banks. Once dominated by ranching and orchards, Aravaipa Canyon has been targeted for preservation since the 1940s, and it became a wilderness area in 1984. The Nature Conservancy’s  Aravaipa Canyon Preserve, which dates to the 1970s and was first managed by Edward Abbey, is leading ongoing restoration efforts. Information: Aravaipa Canyon Preserve, www.nature.org/aravaipa; Bureau of Land Management, 928-348-4400 or www.blm.gov/az
PHOTOGRAPH BY KERRICK JAMES

 

ARNETT CANYON
Saguaros, prickly pears and other cactuses cling to the rocky walls of Arnett Canyon, located south of U.S. Route 60 near Boyce Thompson Arboretum State Park. At the canyon’s floor, Arnett Creek, a Queen Creek tributary, feeds Fremont cottonwoods and other plant life in a lush riparian area. According to the Arizona Important Bird Areas Program, yellow-bellied sapsuckers, brown thrashers, gray catbirds and rufous-backed robins are among the rare species that can be spotted here. The canyon and creek are named for a family that ranched along Queen Creek in the 1880s. Information: Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GILL

 

BEAR CANYON
Bear Canyon, nestled at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson, is best known for Seven Falls, a series of picturesque cascades. The falls are most impressive when they’re fed by rainfall or snowmelt, but getting to them isn’t easy: It’s an 8-mile (round-trip) hike from the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center to the foot of the falls, though you can shorten that trip with a tram ride to the mouth of Bear Canyon. Those who make it are rewarded with an expansive rock deck that offers an ideal view of the rushing water. Information: Santa Catalina Ranger District, 520-749-8700 or www.fs.usda.gov/coronado
PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF MALTZMAN

 

BLUE CANYON
Striated red and white rocks dominate the landscape of Blue Canyon, a remote section of Moenkopi Wash on Hopi Tribe land in Northeastern Arizona. Those rocks come in many forms: spires, arches, hoodoos, balanced rocks and more. Many photographers prefer to shoot the canyon at sunset, when the varied forms and colors of the rock formations come alive. At the right times of year, it’s also a great place to photograph the full moon. Visiting Blue Canyon requires a Hopi guide, and depending on your plans, a permit may also be required. Information: Hopi Cultural Center, 928-734-2401 or www.hopiculturalcenter.com
PHOTOGRAPH BY GEORGE STOCKING

 

CANYON DE CHELLY
Snow covers Spider Rock, which rises some 800 feet from the floor of Canyon de Chelly on the Navajo Nation. Ancient civilizations made their homes in the canyon, which today is a national monument that protects several prehistoric pueblos. Navajo families still live in the canyon, tending to farms and livestock, so trips to the canyon’s floor (except on the trail to White House Ruin) require a Navajo guide. For those who’d rather stay up top, several overlooks offer spectacular views of Canyon de Chelly and its tributary, Canyon del Muerto. Information: Canyon de Chelly National Monument, 928-674-5500 or www.nps.gov/cach
PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GILL

 

CAVE CREEK CANYON
The Chiricahua Mountains of Southeastern Arizona are known for their biodiversity, and Cave Creek Canyon, where maples and yuccas combine for stunning views in autumn, is no exception. According to the nonprofit Friends of Cave Creek Canyon, more than 300 bird species have been spotted in the canyon, and 12 species of hummingbirds pay the Chiricahuas a visit every summer. Mountain lions, coatimundis and other mammals make their homes there, too. It’s no surprise, then, that the American Museum of Natural History chose Cave Creek Canyon as the site of its Southwestern Research Station. Information: Friends of Cave Creek Canyon, www.friendsofcavecreekcanyon.com
PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GILL

 

COAL MINE CANYON
At the edge of the Painted Desert, east of the Navajo Nation town of Tuba City, sits Coal Mine Canyon, a tributary of Moenkopi Wash. Those who visit this remote and easy-to-miss gorge are rewarded with views of multicolored hoodoos much like those found in Utah’s Bryce Canyon National Park. As the surrounding land is mostly flat, photographers often incorporate lightning bolts from distant storms into their shots of the canyon’s rock formations. Visiting or camping at the canyon requires a permit from the Navajo Nation’s Cameron Visitor Center to the southwest. Information: Navajo Parks & Recreation, www.navajonationparks.org
PHOTOGRAPH BY SHANE MCDERMOTT

 

FISH CREEK CANYON
There isn’t an exciting story behind Fish Creek Canyon’s name: When a cattleman visited this rocky canyon in the Superstition Mountains in the 1880s, he found the creek full of fish, and the rest was history. That’s according to the book Arizona Place Names. The creek flows under the Apache Trail (State Route 88) just east of Tortilla Flat. Though the canyon is easy to access, there’s not much of a trail, so those who hike it should be prepared to boulder-hop and bushwhack their way to views of running water and steep canyon walls. Information: Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID MUENCH

 

GLEN CANYON
The creation of Lake Powell in the 1960s changed Glen Canyon dramatically — and ignited a controversy that’s still raging. But it also led to the creation of a 1.25 million-acre recreation area that offers things to do both in the water (boating, fishing and kayaking) and out of it (hiking, mountain biking and scenic drives). Some visit simply to take in views of Glen Canyon’s iconic buttes — and of distant Navajo Mountain in Utah. Nearly 2.5 million people visited Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in 2015, pushing it past 100 million total visitors since it opened. Information: Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, 928-608-6200 or www.nps.gov/glca
PHOTOGRAPH BY GUY SCHMICKLE

 

GRAND CANYON
For decades, scientists have debated how old the Grand Canyon actually is. Some think it was formed about 70 million years ago, while others believe it’s just 6 million years old. In 2014, one group of researchers argued that both are true: The Colorado River carved its current route through the Canyon about 6 million years ago, they said, but part of that route passed through smaller canyons that were much older. Research into the Canyon’s past is ongoing, but we know one thing for sure: The Grand Canyon is here now, and it will be for a while. Information: Grand Canyon National Park, 928-638-7888 or www.nps.gov/grca
PHOTOGRAPH BY CLAIRE CURRAN

 

HAVASU CANYON
More than 5.5 million people visit the Grand Canyon each year, but only about 20,000 make it to Havasu Canyon, a Grand Canyon tributary on Havasupai Tribe land. That’s mostly because it’s hard to get there: There’s no road, so visitors must hike, ride a mule or take a helicopter from the Hualapai Hilltop to the village of Supai. For hikers, it’s an 8-mile trip and an elevation change of about 2,000 feet. The payoff is the legendary blue-green water of Havasu Creek and a series of spectacular waterfalls. Campground and lodge reservations are extremely limited, so plan your trip well in advance. Information: Havasupai Tribe, 928-448-2121
PHOTOGRAPH BY JOEL HAZELTON

 

HEWITT CANYON
Saguaros, teddy bear chollas and Mexican goldpoppies dominate springtime views of Hewitt Canyon, located in the southeastern Superstition Mountains near Superior. Forest Road 172 (Hewitt Canyon Road) offers good views of the canyon, along with access to hiking trails. From U.S. Route 60 near Florence Junction, go northeast on Queen Valley Road for 1.6 miles to Forest Road 357 (Hewitt Station Road). Turn right onto FR 357 and continue 2 miles to FR 172, on the left. A high-clearance vehicle is recommended, particularly during the rainy season. Information: Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GILL

 

MADERA CANYON
The cool water of Madera Creek cascades over rocks in Madera Canyon, part of the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson. From mountaintops to desert, the canyon passes through several habitats and life zones, giving it a stunning level of biodiversity. Black bears, ringtails, bobcats and mountain lions make their homes in Madera Canyon, but it’s best known as a birding hot spot. According to the nonprofit Friends of Madera Canyon, more than 250 bird species, including 15 types of hummingbirds and 36 species of wood warblers, have been documented there. Information: Friends of Madera Canyon, www.friendsofmaderacanyon.org
PHOTOGRAPH BY BRUCE D. TAUBERT

 

MARBLE CANYON
Marble Canyon, which cradles the Colorado River from Lees Ferry to the Grand Canyon, doesn’t contain any marble. John Wesley Powell, who explored the canyon in the 1800s, knew this but named it Marble Canyon anyway: “The limestone of this canyon is often polished, and makes a beautiful marble,” he wrote. Formerly a national monument of its own, Marble Canyon became part of Grand Canyon National Park in 1975. Navajo Bridge, which crosses the canyon, offers a stunning view of the gorge, along with a chance to spot an endangered California condor. Information: Grand Canyon National Park, 928-638-7888 or www.nps.gov/grca
PHOTOGRAPH BY TOM BROWNOLD

 

OAK CREEK CANYON
Located just north of Sedona, Oak Creek Canyon offers something relatively rare: a drive on a paved road (State Route 89A) through one of America’s most picturesque canyons. Among potential stops along the National Scenic Byway are Slide Rock State Park (pictured), where the calm water of Oak Creek mirrors a snowy landscape in winter; Midgley Bridge, named for an area rancher and businessman; and Indian Gardens Oak Creek Market, where you can get some of the best sandwiches in Red Rock Country. Take care in winter, when the road may be slippery. Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-203-2900 or www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino
PHOTOGRAPH BY GUY SCHMICKLE

 

PALM CANYON
The rugged Kofa Mountains of Western Arizona are home to Palm Canyon, part of the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. And the canyon is home to desert fan palms (Washingtonia filifera), the only palm species native to Arizona. The narrow side canyon limits direct sunshine and provides moisture, making the trees’ survival possible. From U.S. Route 95 south of Quartzsite, a dirt road leads 7 miles east to a parking lot and a half-mile hike into the canyon. Along the way, you might spot desert bighorn sheep or hear a coyote’s yelp. Information: Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, 928-783-7861 or www.fws.gov/refuge/kofa
PHOTOGRAPH BY JACK DYKINGA

 

PARIA CANYON
The Paria River creates intricate wave patterns as it flows through Paria Canyon west of Page. The narrow canyon, part of Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, is a popular hiking route, but following it generally means getting your feet wet: There’s no trail, and hikers should expect to cross from bank to bank dozens of times per day. Monument officials recommend wearing sturdy, quick-drying shoes and synthetic socks to avoid blisters. Permits for day hikes can be purchased at the canyon’s trailheads, but overnight permits must be bought in advance. Information: Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, 435-688-3200 or www.blm.gov/az
PHOTOGRAPH BY JACK DYKINGA

 

PERALTA CANYON
Saguaros and ocotillos dominate a view of Peralta Canyon in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix. Area hikers rave about the Peralta Trail, a moderate hike that starts at the mouth of Peralta Canyon. The trail gains some 1,400 feet of elevation on the 2.2-mile hike to Fremont Saddle, which offers dramatic views of Weavers Needle and Boulder Canyon. Many hikers stop there, but some continue another 4 miles to an intersection with the Dutchman’s Trail. While the Peralta Trail is accessible year-round, hikers should beware of high temperatures in summer. Information: Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
PHOTOGRAPH BY GERRY GROEBER

 

PIMA CANYON
Saguaros are ubiquitous in Pima Canyon, part of the Pusch Ridge Wilderness in the Santa Catalina Mountains near Tucson. But other desert inhabitants can be spotted there, too. Javelinas and jackrabbits populate the canyon, and desert bighorn sheep, which once were abundant in the area, were reintroduced there in 2013. To explore the canyon via the Pima Canyon Trail, take Magee Road east from State Route 77 (Oracle Road) to the parking area and trailhead at the end of the road. The 8.6-mile trail offers views of its namesake canyon, the Tucson area and distant mountain ranges. Information: Santa Catalina Ranger District, 520-749-8700 or www.fs.usda.gov/coronado
PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF MALTZMAN

 

 

RAMSEY CANYON
The natural splendor of Ramsey Canyon, in the Huachuca Mountains near Sierra Vista, is hard to top — particularly in fall, when maples and other trees display their vibrant autumn hues. The canyon is unusual for the desert Southwest: Spring-fed Ramsey Creek, a northeastern orientation and high canyon walls combine to form a damp, cool environment. The Nature Conservancy’s Ramsey Canyon Preserve is a good place to spot the 15 species of hummingbirds known to visit the Huachucas. Other animals in the area include black bears and endangered Chiricahua leopard frogs. Information: Ramsey Canyon Preserve, 520-378-2785 or www.nature.org/ramsey
PHOTOGRAPH BY PAUL GILL

 

ROMERO CANYON
The signature feature of Romero Canyon, north of the Santa Catalina Mountains, is the Romero Pools, a series of shallow catchments that have water most of the year. But hikers on the pop­ular Romero Canyon Trail, which starts at Catalina State Park and climbs 900 feet in 2.8 miles to the pools, also report spectacular views of Oro Valley, Mount Lemmon and the Pusch Ridge Wilderness, along with vibrant wildflowers near the pools in spring. For best results, visit after a good rainstorm, when the waterfalls and streams are most active. Information: Catalina State Park, 520-628-5798 or www.azstateparks.com/parks/cata
PHOTOGRAPH BY RANDY PRENTICE
 

RUCKER CANYON
Before Rucker Canyon, located in the Chiricahua Mountains of Southeastern Arizona, there was Camp Rucker. And before Camp Rucker, there was Lieutenant John Rucker. In the 1870s, according to the book Arizona Place Names, Rucker was in command of a company of Indian scouts when his comrade was caught in a stream during a flood. Rucker rode his horse into the stream to attempt a rescue, but he drowned. His company’s camp along the stream was renamed in his honor, and the canyon followed suit. Today, bergamots grow amid Rucker Canyon’s ponderosa pines. Information: Douglas Ranger District, 520-364-3468 or www.fs.usda.gov/coronado
PHOTOGRAPH BY RANDY PRENTICE

 

SABINO CANYON
Sabino Creek tumbles over a small waterfall amid the saguaros of Sabino Canyon. The canyon’s location — just northeast of Tucson, at the foot of the Santa Catalina Mountains — and natural beauty have made it a popular recreation site. Among its amenities are a narrated tram tour into Sabino Canyon, a shuttle service to Bear Canyon (see page 10) and miles of hiking trails into the backcountry. For those looking for a little less adventure, the Sabino Canyon Visitor Center has a bookstore and a self-guided nature trail. Information: Santa Catalina Ranger District, 520-749-8700 or www.fs.usda.gov/coronado
PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID MUENCH

 

SALT RIVER CANYON
In a state that's home to the Grand Canyon, Canyon de Chelly and a whole lot of other gorgeous gorges, it's saying a lot that some people consider the view from where U.S. Route 60 crosses Salt River Canyon to be the most dramatic vista in Arizona. This photograph was made a few miles from there, overlooking an old dirt road that follows the Salt River around a bend. The canyon is notoriously difficult to access, but many of those who visit are whitewater enthusiasts who venture down the river from early March to mid-May. Information: Globe Ranger District, 928-402-6200 or www.fs.usda.gov/tonto
PHOTOGRAPH BY SHANE MCDERMOTT

 

SAWMILL CANYON
A narrow waterfall flows into a placid pool in Sawmill Canyon, a tributary of Salt River Canyon. There’s no established trail into the canyon, and just getting to it can be a challenge: From a parking area along U.S. Route 60 just northeast of the bridge over the Salt River, a faint trail leads down to the river. From there, visitors must swim across to where Sawmill Creek empties into the river, then follow the creek and canyon to the southeast. Sawmill Canyon is located on the San Carlos Apache Nation, and a recreation permit is required. Information: San Carlos Apache Recreation and Wildlife Department, 928-475-2343 or www.sancarlosapache.com
PHOTOGRAPH BY JEFF SNYDER

 

SYCAMORE CANYON
Arizona’s second-largest canyon, where conifers punctuate  a view from the Sycamore Rim Trail, is also one of the state’s least-explored landscapes. Those who do venture into Sycamore Canyon find lush riparian areas, jagged red cliffs, old-growth ponderosa pines and unparalleled solitude. Several trails lead into the canyon, but novice hikers might consider starting with the Parsons Trail, which begins with a steep drop to the canyon floor and then crosses Sycamore Creek several times on the way to Parsons Spring. Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-203-2900 or www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino
PHOTOGRAPH BY LAURENCE PARENT

 

TEXAS CANYON
A balanced boulder frames a view of the Little Dragoon Mountains, which form the northern edge of Texas Canyon east of Benson. To the south are the Dragoon Mountains, and while many motorists zoom past this rocky landscape on their way down Interstate 10, the area is a paradise for rock hounds and photographers. But why does Arizona have a Texas Canyon? According to the nearby Amerind Museum, it got its name from the members of the Adams family who left the Lone Star State to homestead the area around the turn of the 20th century. Information: Amerind Museum, 520-586-3666 or www.amerind.org
PHOTOGRAPH BY JACK DYKINGA

 

WALNUT CANYON
Walnut Canyon is best known for the Sinaguan cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon National Monument, but the expansive canyon, located just 5 miles southeast of downtown Flagstaff, has other attractions, including old-growth ponderosa pines, a sizable elk population and a network of hiking trails. With Flagstaff experiencing rapid growth, a coalition of area residents has been working for more than a decade to get federal protection for the canyon. At present, a 28,000-acre swath of Walnut Canyon is being considered for designation as a national conservation area. Information: Walnut Canyon National Monument, 928-526-3367 or www.nps.gov/waca
PHOTOGRAPH BY SUE CULLUMBER

 

WEST CLEAR CREEK CANYON
One of the Southwest’s most remote and beautiful streams is just a stone’s throw from Camp Verde in Central Arizona. At the bottom of West Clear Creek Canyon, the placid water of the canyon’s namesake mirrors surrounding vegetation and jagged cliffs. The canyon is a federal wilderness area, so there are no roads in, but several hiking trails lead from the canyon’s rim to the creek. Once there, those who wish to hike the length of the narrow canyon must wade or swim through numerous pools. But there are worse ways to spend an afternoon. Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-203-2900 or www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino

PHOTOGRAPH BY DEREK VON BRIESEN

 

WET BEAVER CREEK CANYON
In autumn, fallen leaves blanket the banks of Wet Beaver Creek Canyon’s namesake waterway. The canyon, located southeast of Sedona, is popular among hikers and anglers, many of whom enter via the Bell Trail, the only developed route into the Wet Beaver Wilderness. Along the creek’s banks is a pristine riparian habitat where cottonwoods and sycamores flourish beneath red-rock cliffs. There, visitors take a dip in a popular swimming hole, or fish for trout or bass. Elk, deer, black bears and mountain lions can be spotted along the creek. Information: Red Rock Ranger District, 928-203-2900 or www.fs.usda.gov/r03/coconino
PHOTOGRAPH BY SHANE MCDERMOTT